Talent ShowLocal talented youth will take to the stage in the 4-H Center on Friday, July 17th for the annual Iroquois County Fair Talent Show. This year’s competition will feature thirty-one young people who attend a county school or reside within Iroquois County. The show guarantees an evening of enjoyment for the fairgoer! Several participants from previous years will be returning again this year, as well as several new faces to compete in the ever popular show! The crowd will be entertained by vocalists, jazz dancers, a tap dancer, a lyrical dancer, a piano vocalist, and a guitar player as they compete for the prizes to be awarded at the end of the show! The program is included at the bottom.
The Junior Division will include eight acts. Participants in the Junior Division are 14 years old or younger on the day of the local contest. This year’s Junior Division includes (see their profiles to the left):
Hunter Hill, Thawville
Hunter Fox, Milford
Megan Kemarly, Gilman
Kate Krumwiede, Watseka
Shelby Naese, Watseka
Jordyn Ward, Ashkum
Emily Vaughn, Gilman
Kassidy Berry, Watseka
Hannah Longest, Buckley
Mariah Yelenick, Watseka
Christa Aaron, Watseka
Alexis Shoufler, Milford
Courtney Wolfe, Chebanse
Following the completion of the Junior Division, the audience will enjoy guest performer, McKenzie Jordan Hasbargen, the 2008 Junior Division winner at the Iroquois County Fair Talent Show. Last year, McKenzie captivated the crowd dressed as Annie as she sang the popular theme song from the musical “Annie.” This year, McKenzie, who hales from Watseka, will sing, “Patriotic Medley.”
The Senior Division will include ten acts. Contestants in the Senior Division are 15 years to 21 years of age on the day of the local contest. This year’s Senior Division contestants include (see their profiles to the left):
Joy MacDonald, Danforth
Justice Janowski, Sheldon
Abby Fischer, Watseka
Brittany Fischer, Watseka
Ellaine Hibbert, Clifton
Samantha Snyder, Watseka
Katie McTaggart, Watseka
Porsha Patrick, Watseka
Jeremy Weber, Ashkum
Kevin Kohn, Clifton
Ryan Morrison, Ashkum
Ryan Gifford, Clifton
Calley Seefeldt, Watseka
Dustin Hurt, Wellington
Rachael Yergler, Cissna Park
Whitney Waterman, Milford
Rachel Burton, Watseka
Andrew Lesch, Chebanse
Following the Senior Division competition, Lucas Sanor of Chebanse will revisit the stage to entertain the crowd. Sanor won the Senior Division competition at the Iroquois County Fair Talent Show last summer with his tenor sax solo to the song, “Yakety Sax.” This year Lucas will return to the stage to perform two songs while the judges tally the final scores for the Senior Division. Playing his alto saxophone and accompanied by friends, Lucas will perform “Baby G” and “If I Could Fly.” Joining Lucas on stage will be his friends Rob Mayfield on guitar; Seth Hartman on bass guitar, and Isaac Gray on drums.
Judging of each performance will be based on a total of one hundred (100) points: Costume, 10; Audience Appeal, 10; Stage Presence, 30; Ability, 50. Participation ribbons will be awarded to all contestants. Trophies, sponsored by Meier Brothers Tire Service of Ashkum, will be awarded to first, second, and third place winners in each division. Prize money for first, second, and third place winners in each division will be $100, $50, and $25. In addition, a $75 stipend will be issued upon completion of the state contest by the Iroquois County Fair Board to the Junior and Senior Division first place winners. This stipend is intended to help defray expenses incurred during the state contest.
The first place winners of the Junior and Senior Divisions will appear in Springfield on January 16, 2010, at the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs Convention State Talent Contest.
Brad Senffner, known for his performances with the Kankakee Valley Theater and Country Theatre Workshop, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. Brad is a music teacher at Central High School.
The Iroquois County Talent Show will be held on Friday, July 17th, beginning at 7:00 P.M. in the 4-H Center. Tickets to the show are $5.00. Gate admission Friday evening is $5.00 for age 6 and above. However, a special carload price on Friday from 7:00 A.M. to noon will be $5.00 per car or $3.00 for single admission.
This year’s Iroquois County Talent Show committee is comprised of Jody Munsterman, director; Janice Anderson, Pam Hibbert, and Jake Salm.